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Hisham II or Abu'l-Walid Hisham II al-Mu'ayyad bi-llah (ابو الولید ھشام المؤيد بالله, Abū'l-Walīd Hishām al-Muʾayyad bi-ʾllāh; 966 – 1044) (son of Al-Hakam II and Subh of Córdoba) was the third Umayyad dynasty of Spain, in Al-Andalus from 976 to 1009, and from 1010 to 1013.
Al-Mansur ibn Abi Amir perpetuated his position as the omnipotent ruler in charge of the empire while he exiled Hisham II and essentially kept him prisoner for most of his reign as the third Caliph of Córdoba. With his countless successful campaigns against Christian powers in the Spanish North such as Barcelona in 985, León in 988, as well as a major strike on the church of St. James in the Galician city of Santiago de Compostela in 998, Almanzor is known for bringing the Caliphate of Córdoba to its apex of power in Islamic Iberia.
In 1002, after the death of his father (Almanzor), Abd al-Malik became the ruler of the Caliphate and led successful campaigns against Navarre and Barcelona. In 1008 Abd al-Rahman Sanchuelo is said to have poisoned his brother (Abd al-Malik al-Muzaffar) which led to his death in October 1008. In February 1009, while Abd al-Rahman Sanchuelo was waging war against Alfonso V in León, Muhammad II al-Mahdi usurped the throne from Hisham II then held him hostage in Córdoba.
On 9 November 1009, just months after taking control of the Caliphate, Muhammad II was overthrown by a Berber and Castilian army when Sulayman ibn al-Hakam led those forces into the capital city of Córdoba forcing Muhammad II to flee to Toledo. After capturing the city, Sulaymān freed Hisham II from imprisonment and reinstated him as caliph. After a few days, however, Sulaymān deposed Hisham II and was elected caliph by his Berber troops, assuming the title (laqab) of al-Musta'in bi-llah ("He Who Seeks for God's Help"). Hisham II was placed under close guard Córdoba and removed entirely from the machinery of government.
Sulaymān remained caliph only until May 1010 when Muhammad II defeated Sulaymān's Berber army at the Battle of Aqbat al-Bakr. After the battle, Muhammad II advanced to Córdoba where he was once again installed as Caliph while Sulaymān withdrew to the southern region of Al-Andalus. Hisham II was not restored to power by Muhammad II but remained a political pawn in the ongoing civil war.
Within approximately two months, Muhammad II was removed from power in a coup by his Chamberlain, Wadih al-Siqlabi. Muhammad II attempted to flee Córdoba, reportedly disguised as a woman. He was ultimately arrested by Wāḍiḥ, put on trial, and executed on June 23, 1010. Hisham II was then restored to his position of caliph and he subsequently appointed Wāḍiḥ as his Chamberlain. So as it had been in the past, Hisham II was only the titular head of the Caliphate with the real power held by others.
Approximately three months later in November 1010, Sulaymān and the Berbers began a siege of Córdoba that would last for two and a half years. During that time, Hisham II took a more active role interacting with the people of Córdoba encouraging them to defend the city and themselves. In May 1013, the Berbers accepted the surrender of a weak and desperate city. By that time Wāḍiḥ had been executed for treason. Sulaymān was once again appointed Caliph. Hisham II's fate is unclear. Some historians believe that he was killed by the Berbers. Other historians believed he escaped and went into exile.
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